Forty-nine pseudophakic cadaver eyes were selected according to IOL material/type and implantation duration, and the IOLs were explanted. Hydrophobic acrylic, hydrophilic acrylic, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and silicone IOLs were included. Gross and light microscopy was performed for all IOLs. Light scattering was measured with an EAS 1000 Scheimpflug camera, and light transmittance was assessed using a Lambda 35 UV/Vis spectrophotometer (single-beam configuration with an RSA PE-20 integrating sphere). Analyses were performed at room temperature in the hydrated state and compared with analyses of controls.

Results:

The highest levels of surface light scattering were measured for 3-piece hydrophobic acrylic AcrySof IOLs, which was also the IOL type with the longest implantation duration among the Acrysof hydrophobic acrylic IOLs. Surface light scattering was related to the presence of subsurface nanoglistenings. Hydrophilic acrylic, PMMA, and silicone IOLs exhibited relatively low light-scattering levels. The lowest light-scattering levels were observed with PMMA IOLs (1-piece looped and 3-piece) and plate silicone IOLs, which represent the IOL types with the longest implantation duration in this series. Light transmittance values measured for all IOL types appeared to be similar to the values of the corresponding controls.

Conclusions:

The phenomenon of surface light scattering related to subsurface nanoglistenings is more particularly related to hydrophobic acrylic IOLs and increases with implantation time. No significant effect of surface light scattering on IOL light transmittance was found. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE